Fluid pressure regulator



arch H3, fi 'ro A QYNTQN 2,3?LT1' FLUID PRESSURE REGULATOR Filed Aug.27, 1941 Fig 3. ALEXANDER BOYNTO/V, nwsA/ro/v,

Patented Mar. 13, l945 UNITED STATES FLUID rnnssmm anoum'roa AlexanderBoynton, San Antonio, Tex; Sida. S. Martin executrix oi said AlexanderBoynton,

deceased Application August 2'1, 1941, Serial No. 408,520

11 Claims.

The principal object is to provide a pressure regulator whichsubstitutes an elastic diaphragm member only for the usual metallicvalve and valve seat.

Another object is to reduce relatively high pressures to predeterminedlower pressures by means of only two parts which flex, portions of eachsuch part remaining stationary.

Another object is to employ a non-metallic means for regulatingpressures.

A further object resides in employing few parts of economicalconstruction and exceeding compactness which will be of long life inservice and in'which replacements can be made easily and quickly.

This invention is related to and may be considered a continuation inpart of my co-pcnding metering diaphragm application Serial No. 408,-519 flled August 2'7, 1941, which matured into Patent No. 2,341,525, onFebruary 15, 1944.

Briefly stated, the invention consists of a metering diaphragmconstructed of an elastic material. The diaphragm has a central passagenormally open while the diaphragm is uncompressed, a spring beingemployed to support it in that position when it is not in operation andduring times of near equality in pressures prevailing upon oppositesides of the diaphragm. The low pressure is always in contact with thedownstream side of the diaphragm and controls its operation while theother side is exposed to atmospheric pressure. A nipple attached to theupstream side of the diaphragm has communication with the centralpassage through the diaphragm and is slidable through a stuffing boxupon the high pressure supply conduit. At a predetermined relatively lowpressure, the diaphragm flexes in the direction of the high pressure andflattens or straightens its arched portion to close the passage throughit; all of which will be understood more fully from an examination ofthe following specification and the accompanying drawing, in which Fig.l is a longitudinal section through the assembled regulator.

Fig. 2 is a cross section on the line 2-2, Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an outside view of the regulator turned 90 degrees from theposition shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is mainly a longitudinal section through a modified form ofhermetic telescopic means.

Similar characters of reference are employed to designate similar partsin the several views.

The diaphragm housing I has the internal circular shoulder Id againstwhich the elastic diaphragm 2, which may be of rubber, is locked by thegrip ring I! secured by the swaged nipple ll having threaded engagementwithin the housing. The diaphragm, which may be reenforced by having thesnail-shaped spring 20 vulcanized into it,

5 has an annular axial extension 2a within which the annularly ribbedend of the intake tube 3 is pressed and further secured by the sleeve 4threadedly or otherwise connected over the extension 2a so that thisextension cannot expand l0 and release the tube 3 when the diaphragmexerts a pulling force upon the tube, due to the gripping force of thepacking 9 when the diaphragm resumes its normal position as shown inFig, 1 after it has been compressed, as will 16 be explained underOperation. The other end of the tube 3 is slidable closely within thenipple Ill.

The packing 9 is adapted to be compressed against the tube 3 by thegland ring 8, actuated 20 by the cap 1 having threaded engagement overthe inner end of the nipple Ill which has threaded engagement throughthe end boss Ic of the housing I.

The coil spring 5, housed within the chamber 2! le formed within thehousing I and its internal the spring, the tube a being slidable throughthe plug. The opening 6a through the plug 6 provides that atmosphericpressure will prevail within the chamber le and upon the outer orupstream surface of the diaphragm.

The transverse passage 21; through the diaphragm is aligned with thepassage through'the tube 3 which passage has communication with the highpressure supply conduit l2 shown connected to the nipple III by theconventional union 0 l3. The low pressure discharge conduit It hasconnection with the swaged nipple M by means of the other conventionalunion ll.

The arms lb support the end boss la in spaced I relation to the internalboss la, and the lock nut H is adapted to secure the nipple l0 withinthe boss lc so that the plug 6 and the cap I will be also in spacedrelation to each other; while the tube 3 and the nipple ill will besecured in true alignment, so that the tube will be free to move throughthe packing 9 and within the nipple H1 in response to the movements ofthe diaphragm 2.

Manifestly the nipple Ill may be considered as a portion of the highpressure conduit l2. Likewise the swaged nipple Il may be consideredasOperation Pressure fluid entering the nipple it via the high pressuresupply conduit l2 will flex the diaphragm 2 upstream or toward theconduit l2; thereby causing the tube 3 to slide in the same directionthrough the packing 9 and within the nipple Hi. When the diaphragm hasbeen flexed upstream, or counter to the direction indicated by thearrows, a predetermined distance, the passage 2b will be closed, due tothe flattening of the umbrella-shaped rubber diaphragm. As the forceupon the downstream side of the diaphragm diminishes to a predeterminedvalue, the diaphragm will expand and again open the passage 20, and soon.

Manifestly, the force required to close the passage 2b can be regulatedby means of the spring having its force adjustable by the plug 8. Ifpressure fluid be confined within the chamber le either to supplementthe spring 5 or to replace it, it is apparent that varying the force ofthis fluid will accomplish the same purpose as varying the force of thespring. Of course, the valve l8, the spring IS, the ring 20, and theplug will be omitted if no pressure fluid is employed within the chamberI c.

It will be observed that the diaphragm is shown to be thinner toward thecenter. This thinning toward the center causes the passage 2b to closeat less force exerted upon the downstream side than would be required toclose the passage if the central portion were made thicker. Thoseskilled in the art will known that many different forms of the diaphragmmember will be equivalents of each other.

Referring to Fig. 4, the intake tube 3A is a modification, withoutchange except for the slight annular solder contact cuts under thesolder 21a of the intake tube 3, the enlarged, annularly ribbed end ofeach tube being adapted to be secured within the diaphragm as has beenexplained. The nipple IOA is a modification of the nipple l0 and, likethe latter nipple is adapted to be secured within the end boss Ic.

The bellows 2| may be secured hermetically upon the intake tube 3A bythe solder or weld 2m and upon the gland ring 22 by the other solder orweld Zia, said tube ring being slidable within said gland ring. Thepacking 23 is compressi-ble between the gland ring 22 and the end of thenipple IUA by force of the clamp ring 24 having threaded engagement overthe nipple I 0A.

This construction provides for hermetically slidable engagement betweenthe intake tube 3A and the nipple IDA and overcomes the frictionalresistance ofi'ered by the packing 9 in Fig. 1, it being understood thatonly very slight force will be required to compress the bellows 2| farenough to accommodate slight flexing movement of the diaphragm.

Thus, it is apparent that any desired pressure less than that obtainedwithin the supply conduit l2 can be maintained within the dischargeconduit l6.

Obviously the diaphragm 2 may be placed in operative relation with alatch upon the tube 3 (see, for example, the latch construction shown inFig. 15 of Pat. No. 2,262,750, issued Nov. 18, 1941) or in any othersuitable place to provide a snap action if desired. With suchconstruction fluid flow is fully maintained until the desired pressureis exceeded.

Obviously, many minor changes in construction can be made andequivalents substituted for the parts shown, and I reserve the right tomake such changes and substitutions within the scope and purpose of theforegoing specification as illustrated by the accompanying drawing.

I claim:

1. In a fluid pressure regulator: a diaphragm housing having an internalshoulder, an internal boss, and arms supporting an end boss; a diaphragmtransverse of said housing; a grip ring in said housing, and bearingagainst said diaphragm; a first nipple connected to the downstream endof said housing arranged to force said grip ring to hermetically engagesaid diaphragm upon said internal shoulder; a second nipple securedwithin said end boss: a low pressure dischargeconduit connected to saidfirst nipple; a high pressure supply conduit connected to said secondnipple; an axial extension upon the upstream side of said diaphragm; anintake tube having a ribbed end secured in said axial extension and theother end slidable in said second nipple; a sleeve securing said ribbedend in said extension; packing upon said second nipple and around saidtube; a spring within said in- I temal boss; a plug in said internalboss and sup- 0 ing, said other plug adjustably engaging said lastspring upon said valve; a chamber within said internal boss, saidchamber extending to the upstream side of said diaphragm; compressed airwithin said chamber; a passage through said diaphragm and firstmentioned plug, said passage conveying fluid from said high pressuresupply conduit to said low pressure discharge conduit and arranged to beclosed by a predetermined force of fluid in said low pressure dischargeconduit.

2. In a fiuid pressure regulator: a diaphragm housing having an internalshoulder, an internal boss, and arms supporting an end boss; a diaphragmtransverse of said housing; a grip ring in said housing and bearingagainst said diaphragm; a nipple connected to the downstream end of saidhousing and forcing said grip ring to hermetically engage said diaphragmupon said internal shoulder; a second nipple secured within said endboss; a low pressure discharge conduit connected to said first nipple; ahigh pressure supply conduit connected to said second nipple; an axialextension upon the upstream side of said diaphragm; an intake tubehaving one end secured in said axial extension and the other endslidable in said second nipple; a sleeve adapted to secure said firstmentioned end in said extension; packing upon said second nipple andaround said tube; a spring within said internal boss, a plug in saidboss and supporting said spring against said sleeve, said plug arrangedto adjust the force of said spring; an opening through said plug; apassage through said diaphragm and plug. said passage constructed toconvey fluid from said high pressure supply conduit to said low pressuredischarge conduit, said diaphragm comprising an elastic construction thedeformation of which under fluid pressure controls theeii'ectivecrosssectional area of said passage.

3. In a fluid pressure regulator: high and low pressure conduits; adiaphragm housing connected between said high pressure and said lowpressure conduits; a deformable diaphragm having substantial thicknessand mounted transverse of said housing and hermetically sealedtherewith; an axial extension upon the upstream side of said diaphragm;an intake tube, one end of said tube having annular projections securedin said extension, the other end of said tube being hermeticallyslidable in said high pressure conduit; a sleeve over said extension tosecure said flrst mentioned end of said tube within-said extension; aspring arranged to flex said diaphragm downstream; means to adjust theforce of said spring; said diaphragm and extension having a passagetherethrough, saidpassage communicating with the passage through saidtube; and means exposing the upstream side of said diaphragm toatmospheric pressure, whereby excess pressure on said low pressure sideof said diaphragm deforms the diaphragm and decreases the effectivecross-sectional area of the passage therethrough.

4. In a fluid pressure regulator: high and low pressure conduits; adiaphragm housing connected between said high pressure and said lowpressure conduits; a deformable diaphragm having substantial thicknessand mounted transtherewith; an axial extension upon the upstream side ofsaid diaphragm; an intake tube, one end thereof having an annular.projection'secured in said axial extension, the other end of said tubebeing hermetically slidable in said high pressure conduit; a sleeve oversaid extension to secure said first mentioned end of said tube withinsaid extension; a passage through said diaphragm and extension, saidpassage communicating with the passage through said tube; a closedchamber communicating with the upstream side of said diaphragm; andcompressed air in said chamber, whereby excess pressure on the lowpressure side of said diaphragm deforms the diaphragm and the wall ofthe passage therethrough,'thus decreasing the effective cross-sectionalarea of said passage.

5. In a pressure regulator: high pressure 'and low pressure conduits; adiaphragm housing adapted to be connected between said high pressure andsaid low pressure conduits; a deformable diaphragh transverse of saidhousing; an intake tube, one end of said tube secured in said diaphragm,the other end of said tube being her-i metically slidable in said highpressure conduit; said diaphragm having a passage therethrough, aportion of the wall of said passage within said diaphragm beingcollapsible and arranged to collapse progressively as said diaphragm isdeformed under action of pressure on the low pressure side of saiddiaphragm. said passage communicating with the passage through saidtube; and means exposing the upstream side of said diaphragm toatmospheric pressure.

6. In a pressure regulator: a diaphragm having a passage therethroughhaving deformable walls, the passage within said diaphragm adapted to beclosed when said diaphragm is sufliciently flexed, a high pressure port,and hollow means to receive fluid under relatively low pressure. saiddiaphragm being hermetically secured between said high pressure port andsaid means receiving said fluid after the pressure thereof is reduced;yieldable means between said diaphragm and said high pressure port, saidyieldable means having an opening therethrough communicating with saidpassage; and means for varying the pressure upon one side of saiddiaphragm.

7. An article of manufacture: comprising a metering diaphragm of elasticmaterial having a tubular member hermetically secured thereto and apassageway therethrough registering with said tubular member, saidtubular member extending only part way into said diaphragm, the wall ofthat portion of the passageway within said diaphragm and beyond saidtubular member being collapsible, whereby the effective cross-sectionalarea of said portion of said passageway is altered upon flexing saiddiaphragm, said diaphragm and said tubular member constituting anintegral structure.

8. In a pressure regulator: a high pressure conduit and a low pressureconduit; a diaphragm housing connected between said conduits; adeformable diaphragm in said housing and hermetically sealed therewith,said diaphragm having a normally open passage through the same, the wallof which passage is adapted to collapse to close, at least partly, thesaid passage upon application of fluid pressure upon one side of saiddiaphragm and to expand again to open said passage when said pressure isreduced; means to conduct fluid from said high pressure conduit to theadjacent side of said diaphragm for. passage therethrough; and meanscontinuously tending to force said diaphragmto open said passage.

9. In a pressure regulator: a high pressure conduit and a low pressureconduit; a diaphragm housing connected between said conduits; adeformable diaphragm in said housing and hermetically sealed therewith,one side of said diaphragm being exposed to atmospheric pressure, saiddiaphragm having a normally open passage through the same, the wall ofwhich passage is adapted to collapse to close, at least partly, the saidpassage upon application of fluid pressure upon one side of saiddiaphragm and to expand again to open said passage when said pressure isreduced; means to conduct fluid from said high pressure conduit to theadjacent side of said diaphragm for passage therethrough; and meanscontinuously acting against the atmosphere exposed side of saiddiaphragm to open said passage.

10. In a pressure regulator: a high pressure conduit and a low pressureconduit; a diaphragm housing connected between said conduits; adeformable diaphragm in said housing and hermetically sealed therewith,said diaphragm having a normally open passage through the same, the wallof which passage is adapted to collapseto close, at least partly, thesaid passage upon applicaton of fluid pressure upon one side of'saiddiaphragm and to expand again to open said passage when said pressure isreduced; means to conduct fluid from said high pressure conduit to theadjacent side of said diaphragm for passage therethrough, said fluidconducting means including an intake tube carried by said diaphragm inconstant communication with said passage and in slidable connection withsaid high pressure conduit; and means continuously tending to force saiddiaphragm to open said passage.

11. In a pressure regulator: a high pressure conduit and a low pressureconduit; a diaphragm housing connected between said conduits; adeformable diaphragm in said housing and hermeti- 4- I as'nma caiiysealed therewith. said diaphragm having a normally open e through thesame, the wall of which passage is adapted to collapse to close, atleast partly. the said passage upon appii- V therethrough, said fluidconducting means including an intake tube carried by said diaphragm inconstant communication with said passage and in slidable connection withsaid high pressure conduit; means hermetically sealing said intake tubeto said high pressure conduit; and means continuously tending to forcesaid diaphragm open said passage.

manna BOYNTON.

